Connect to internet in ubuntu 8.04 : a simple guide to windows users

This guide is intended to help windows users who have recently switched to ubuntu and who connect to the internet using a broadband ADSL modem.

I recommend connecting the modem via Ethernet and not using USB.

Now let me divide the users into two.

1. If in windows you use a connection that is always on (i.e you get connected to the internet when the modem is switched on), you are lucky. There is no need for further configuration in ubuntu. Just switch on the modem and get going.
2. If you connect to the internet in windows by using a ‘broadband connection which requires a username & password’ (i.e you double click on the internet icon on the desktop and click connect), you have to do the following.

goto Applications –> Accessories –> Terminal

type sudo pppoeconf and press enter. Follow the onscreen instructions.

After doing this, you need to manually start and internet connection.

1. sudo pon dsl-provider to start the connection
2. sudo poff to end

some really cool firefox addons…

I haven’t been using firefox for long. In fact i started using it when i got the version 3beta5 along with ubuntu 8.04 & within no time firefox had a new admirer. To be exact never used IE again even when i used windows(I work on ubuntu almost 99% of my time). Oh! not really. I used it while browsing from some internet cafes. But only to download & install the latest version of firefox.

The tabbed browsing feature of firefox was what attracted me 1st. I dont think there is any  need to mention its advantage here. IE7 has already adopted this feature. The general interface was cool fulfilling all the needs of a normal browser. It had a search a search box which supported a no. of search engines. I had no problems with the beta version. But like many i waited for the official release of firefox3.

It created a lot of public interest prior to its release. The media was giving out reviews of firefox and i dont think i missed even one. It was then that i came to know about the best and coolest feature of firefox. Addons. There are many who fail to see why addons matter this much. I think i can explain it in a single sentence. It gives firefox infinite features. i.e you can customize firefox the way you want i to be.

You can find out all firefox supported addons at https://addons.mozilla.org/

I have listed some of the addons which I found intersting.

1. DownThemAll : A superb download manager and accelerator that works within firefox. It can pause and continue downloads. The advanced accelerator increases the speed upto 400%. It has options to download all the links form a page or all the links pointing to a certain extension.
2. Video DownloadHelper : Download youtube and other embedded videos without any external software. It even converts the flv files to avi for you. A really useful addon for youtube freaks.
3. Gmail Notifier : A gmail checker that resides in the bottom right corner of your firefox window. Checks for new mail every x minutes(you specify the x). Capable of managing more than one account. Ideal for those who keep their gmail inbox always open in a background tab.
4. gTalk Sidebar : well….. the name says it all. Simple but cool.
5. New Tab Button on Tab Right : A new tab button. no more boasting IE7 has a new tab button and it is easy to use.
6. Tab Renamizer : Rename all background tabs with a simple ctrl+shift+z. People usually find different uses for this.
7. Tab Wheel Scroll : Switch tabs by scrolling ure mouse wheel.
8. Google Notebooks : Take notes on-the-go. Uploads notes to your google notebook account. Google service. Requires a google account.
9. Speed Dial : For opera fans. Thumbnails of selected sites in a new tab. Get direct access to favorite sites.
10. Extended Status Bar : Another opera like service. A great addon. Displays details about current page like size, no. of images etc. Can be used as a replacement or along with the firefox status bar.
11. Pacman : Play pacman.

These are just some which i found out. Ill update this when i find out something exciting.

Please let me know if you know any good addons.